The annual Axis Squash Challenge will for the first time two include a pro female event which will feature three players ranked in the top 35 in the world.

Nicolette Fernandes, the Guyana and Caribbean champion and world No 13, Aisling Blake, the Irish champion and world No 33, and top Australian Donna Urquhart, the world No 25, will grace the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association’s Devonshire Courts in this week’s Axis Pro Women’s Invitational.

Also involved in the round robin tournament will be Runa Reta, the Bermuda coach, who is a former Canadian champion and world No 29. Reta will face Urquhart in today’s opening game.

“I’m really excited, it’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to compete at this level but I’m thrilled to see the girls here in Bermuda and hope to put on a good show,” she said.

A professional match will be held each evening after the team event, leading up to Saturday’s final.

The visiting players will also lend their knowledge with Bermuda’s national junior squads throughout the week. Patrick Foster, the BSRA director of squash, said: “It’s always great to see the top players on Island but particularly good at this time as the national teams are training hard for the upcoming Caribbean Championships.

The Challenge, which also starts today, will feature 16 teams of three players, including Laura Robinson, the club champion, and Bermuda players Noah Browne and Kristian Muldoon.